Short Story Collection

Banshee's Final Lament

   "From the moment I was born into this world, I have felt every death. All of the sorrow and the anguish. It all resides in me." She put her hand over the left side of her chest, staring where no one else could see with her sorrow-filled eyes. "It is my curse." 

     "But that isn't fair!" He cried. "You didn't ask to be born! What kind of monster would curse a soul with that power?" For just a moment, she looked surprised. Her deep gaze met his and she smiled sadly. "You're right. It is not fair. But most things are not. I suspect you know that well." The boy could not respond. His heart ached with injustice. Of course, he knew. How could he not?
     The full length of his life was full of unfairness. At his lack of response, the Banshee shook her head. "We must learn to live with the cruelties. They will never change." She turned her head to the night sky. The stars sparkled like diamonds overhead, casting a beautiful silver glow onto the Banshee's face and illuminating her features. She was truly beautiful. But weren't all broken things?
     "I will join them soon. My sisters and I will be reunited at last." While she gazed at the stars, the Banshee began to sing. A beautiful melody full of anguish and sorrow, just like her. As she sang, the stars reached down and swirled around her. She lifted into the sky and burned brightly, the words of her final lament sounding farther with each minute that passed. Her body erupted into silver flames, but she did not shriek. Instead, she smiled. The silver flames danced around her pale skin and swirled fiercely. Her raven hair flowed free and floated gently around her.
     Truly, the Banshee looked alive. The most alive she had been in years.
     And it was beautiful.
     As the boy watched her ascent into the sky, calling after her in a frail and quiet voice, he realized he did not feel sad. Instead, he felt happy. Happy she would be free of her suffering. He looked to the sky, where a new formed star shone brightly. In the whispers of the wind, the boy uttered one final word.
     The saddest word he would ever come to say.
      "Good-bye."